Students and staff members of the University of Guyana (UG) are asked to note that full operations will resume today following a bomb scare yesterday.
According to university registrar, Dr Nigel Gravesande, “The staff of the Registry regrets the disruption caused to the administration of final examinations on Friday, but the safety and security of our students will always be a primary concern of the Registry.” He added, “It is envisaged that examinations scheduled for Saturday May 25, 2019 will be held as advertised by the Office of Examinations. Plans for the administration of all exams not held as scheduled on Friday, May 24, 2019 will be announced early next week.”
The Police Bomb Unit and the Fire Service yesterday responded to a report of a bomb threat at the University of Guyana Turkeyen campus which was issued via social media at approximately 10:45am.
A UG release last night stated that the campus was evacuated and all afternoon examinations were cancelled as a precautionary measure while a search of the premises was conducted by the Bomb Unit and Fire Service officers.
The search of the campus revealed no explosives of any kind nor were any suspicious packages or items located during the search. Following the thorough sweep of the campus Inspector Dyal of the Police Bomb Unit issued the ‘all-clear’ signal.
In commenting on the bomb threat UG Vice-Chancellor, Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, said, “I am thankful that the threat was a hoax and I also appreciate the professionalism of the police bomb squad in handling the matter. Thanks, too, to the students and staff who responded with appropriate calm.”
He further stated, “These inconsiderate and dangerous acts cause considerable physical and psychological stress, and are particularly disruptive at this crucial time for thousands of students and dozens of invigilators. My hope is that we do not experience any such acts going forward.”
Anyone with information regarding the bomb threat is encouraged to contact the University Safety & Security Officer at 623-9979 or the nearest police station, the release added.
The University is appreciative of the full cooperation received from everyone during the search exercise and thanks the officers of the Police Force and Fire Service for their prompt response and high level of professionalism displayed.
